Elementary students in Lafayette Parish should have new social studies textbooks when school starts again in August.

The school board agreed Tuesday to allocate $850,000 for the new materials for students in kindergarten through fifth grades.

During Tuesday's special budget meeting, Social Studies Specialist Ryan Martin outlined the need for new books. For one, the current books aren't aligned to existing academic standards or curriculum, meaning that the tests used don't always match what's in the books. Meanwhile, many of the books also are in poor condition, in some cases missing covers or having loose pages.

Martin said the new books will last for seven years. By implementing them next school year, teachers will have a year to get used to them and field test new exams with them, before the tests and books are fully aligned in 2016-17.

The books will be provided by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.

"It will be a consumable textbook, so the kids will get a new book each school year for the next 6 years," Martin said via email Wednesday.

Superintendent Donald Aguillard said about $380,000 already was earmarked for licenses for social studies programs for middle and high school students for next year.

"I think we need to infuse some current new social studies materials into the elementary area," Aguillard said. "The site licenses provide at least another year of something for middle and high school. I would like to come back next year for more for the middle and high schools."

Aguillard added that he plans to undertake a comprehensive review of all of the district's textbook materials, in all subjects.

"Standing alone, this (elementary social studies) request is a no-brainer. I think the larger issue is how do we do all of these adoptions that likely will take place," Aguillard said. "This gives us an opportunity to at least address K-5 social studies, and it gives us this year to look at reading and review math scores in the fall ... I sense that we do need to review all of our materials. I think it's linked to student performance. I want us to be able to make the best recommendation possible."

Meanwhile, the board also approved $658,500 for nine more teachers and three more para-educators for English as a Second Language. Aguillard said the change will result in the district having 12 ESL teachers next year. This year, they had three such teachers. The district will be able to use salary money from regular education teaching positions to pay for three of the new ESL slots.

The district's ESL student population is experiencing major growth, with about 1,600 students eligible for those services. Officials are looking at moving some ESL programs to different school sites to free up space and have students attend school closer to their home.

So far this year, the school system's budget approval process is moving along quickly and smoothly, despite a $15 million deficit. The board and Aguillard have been able to come to a consensus on many cuts, with little to no outward disagreements. The next budget meeting, set for Monday, will allow for a final review before the document goes up for public inspection.

Board President Tommy Angelle noted that the board can make budget adjustments throughout the year as new needs arise.

"Adopting it doesn't mean that we are absolutely locked into each item," Angelle said. "If some things come up that weren't anticipated, there's no reason we can't amend the budget."

Aguillard complimented the board on its handling of the budget process.

"Hopefully we can get this adopted on schedule and get on with the business of getting ready for next year," he said.